How Much Car Can I Afford? How To Estimate Car Costs

How much car you can afford depends on your monthly income, credit score and down payment. A good monthly payment isn’t too big to be manageable, but it also isn’t so small that it stretches out your loan term. On top of your monthly payment, experts typically recommend spending no more than 20% of take-home pay on a car. That should include the cost of car payments, fuel, insurance and more. Review your monthly budget and use an auto loan calculator to decide what monthly payment and term suit you.

How to calculate how much car you can afford

Setting a budget and comparison shopping vehicles will keep you from overspending or choosing a car that you later regret. A little upfront planning can also give you confidence when you’re ready to commit to an auto loan and a new set of wheels. 

1. Decide between new, used or lease

Whether you’re leasing or buying a car — and whether that car is new or used — makes a difference in what you can afford.

Use a leasing versus buying calculator to calculate your potential savings. What is affordable comes down to how you plan to use your vehicle, so read up on the full benefits and drawbacks of each before you commit.

When to lease

Leasing is a great option for drivers who want a lower monthly payment and the ability to drive the newest models. Your payments cover the vehicle’s depreciation rather than its total value. However, you still need to put money down — and you’ll be paying to maintain a car you ultimately will not own. You’ll also face mileage restrictions.

When to buy

Buying places you fully in the driver’s seat with no mileage limits or additional charges for wear and tear. It costs more to buy a car than to lease it, you risk being upside-down on a loan if you end up owning more than the vehicle is worth. But you will own the car and be able to sell it if needed.

If you decide to buy a car, you will need to choose between a new or used vehicle. A new car offers the latest features and some customization, but it also depreciates faster and comes with a higher price tag. A used car may have higher maintenance costs, and sometimes the difference in monthly payments is very small.

2. Consider your salary

Your salary is one of the primary factors in determining which auto loan is best for you. Edmunds recommends that a new car payment be no more than 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay. A used car payment should be no more than 10 percent, but that number can vary depending on if it’s a certified pre-owned car or a newer model. 

To determine how much car you can afford, divide your annual income by 12, then multiply that number by the percent of your budget you want it to take up. Here are example monthly car payment limits based on how much of your income you want to spend on a vehicle:

When insurance, fuel and other regular monthly expenses are included, the cost should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly take-home pay. Even if you have the cash available to pay for your car outright, you should still consider your purchase in the full context of your annual salary and expenses. Specifically, weigh buying in cash — and possibly eating into or wiping out your emergency fund — versus making affordable payments over time.

3. Estimate your monthly car payments

You can estimate your interest rate on a car loan by checking the average auto loan interest rates by credit score. 

The interest rate you receive on an auto loan plays a big part in how much car you can afford and your monthly payment amount. A higher credit score will often lead to a lower interest rate, which will ultimately lower your monthly payment and your total overall loan cost.

Then, with the help of a car loan calculator, you can determine how different interest rates will affect your monthly payment. 

4. Apply for preapproval

A preapproved auto loan shows that a lender — whether it be a bank, credit union or other financial institution — has agreed to offer you funding under certain conditions. It provides the loan amount, interest rate and terms they are willing to give you. With preapproval in hand, you can approach the dealership like a cash buyer, and if the dealership wants to offer you financing, its finance office will have to beat the offer you already have.

Before offering preapproval, lenders will review your credit score, your income and your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. This measure compares your monthly bills to your gross monthly income. In addition to making dealership negotiations easier, a big advantage for you as a buyer is that preapproval shows you how much you can afford and what your monthly payment will look like. That helps you decide what vehicles are realistically in your budget.

5. Determine your out-the-door price

The payments on your vehicle loan will include more than just the cost of the vehicle alone. Be mindful of the out-the-door (OTD) price, which will factor in not only the cost of your vehicle but also taxes, fees and any add-ons you purchase. Consumer advocates generally agree that most add-ons, such as window etching, are either worthless or not worth the price dealers charge.

With research, you can learn what to expect in state sales taxes and title and vehicle registration fees. While some dealer fees are required by law or company policy, others may be on the table for negotiation or removal. Understanding what is and isn’t open for discussion can save time and frustration at the negotiation table.

With an affordable OTD price in mind, you can aim for a certain sticker price while shopping for a vehicle. Understand that your OTD price will add between 10 and 15 percent to your car’s price, depending on your locale.

6. Factor in additional vehicle costs

Your monthly payment is only one of the many costs of vehicle ownership. Fuel, insurance and maintenance are all factors when determining how much car you can afford.

• Research fuel efficiency. Search fueleconomy.gov for mileage estimates for your car. Selecting a car with good gas mileage will save you money each month and could help you maximize any employer mileage reimbursements.
• Check insurance rates. Adding a different car to your policy will affect your rate. Use a car insurance calculator to understand your potential insurance costs. For context, the average annual premium was $2,638 in 2025, over a 12% increase from the year before, according to Bankrate’s true cost of auto insurance report.
• Calculate cost of ownership. Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book have cost-to-own tools that account for expected fuel costs, maintenance, repairs, state fees and average depreciation that can help you factor in additional expenses when developing your vehicle budget.

Bottom line

Being realistic with your budget will help you avoid pinching pennies after bringing your new ride home. Before settling on a car, consider all potential costs, not just the monthly payment. Aim to find a car that costs no more than 20 percent of your take-home pay.

The goal is to find a car that meets your expectations and leaves you with money to cover unforeseen costs or income changes.